Frequently Asked Questions

What steps should I take to use computer display in my classroom?

• Schedule an appropriately equipped classroom.
  When scheduling your class be sure to request facilities that support classroom computer display. Currently 20 classrooms across campus can support computer display with in-house lecterns and data projectors. In addition, 20 more rooms have permanently installed data projectors. You can see a list of equipped classrooms at www.id.ucsb.edu/IR/CLASSROOMS/info.html
• Place a computer display equipment order.
  Please call (805) 893-3549; or drop into the Media Equipment Office (Kerr Hall 1160) to fill out a form; or e-mail Barbara Byrge at: byrge@id.ucsb.edu. The form you fill out provides us with a detailed account of your needs. If you are at Buchanan Hall, Campbell Hall, or Isla Vista Theaters, please contact their support staff directly. They can be reached at the following numbers:

Buchanan Hall: 893-2332

Campbell Hall: 893-2461

IV Theaters: 893-4466

Be sure to ask for and record the order confirmation number, which we use to quickly locate the order in our database to make any necessary changes.

Reserve equipment at least two full working days prior to the requested class time.
Please note that if you have any special software or hardware configuration needs, more advanced notice will help us accommodate your needs better. Also, equipment is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis; so the sooner you reserve your equipment, the better

Schedule a trial run through.
This is especailly important if you are bringing in your own software or hardware, or if you have special resolution or other requirements. We suggest you call to schedule an appointment at least one week in advance.

Collect your files at the end of class.
Media Equipment is not responsible for lecture materials left in the classroom.


Be prepared to use a back up method.
You should speak with Media Equipment staff about various ways to back up your files, either by storing them on a remote server, or by bringing in hard copies of your materials.

What if I cannot schedule my class into a properly equipped room?

If you do not attempt to get scheduled into one of these classrooms, you can pick up the equipment yourself, or Media Equipment can deliver the equipment. However, the cost of the labor for delivery service will be recharged. If you make a timely request to the Registrar for an equipped room, but none is available, Media Equipment will waive the delivery charge.

What information do I need to provide when requesting computer/projection equipment from Media Equipment?

Call Media Equipment at (805) 893-3549 with your request, or come by and fill out an order form. You will be required to supply the following information:

• Time, day, and location of lecture/presentation
• Department, class or event information, including budget number if required
• Preferred platform, i.e., Mac or PC
• Hardware and software requirements
• Network connection requirements
• When you are available for a test run.
• Any special requirements you have, i.e., high resolution display, external speakers for audio, and so forth

What computers are available from Instructional Resources?

Media Equipment has a limited number of Macintosh and PC compatible computers, both desktops and laptops. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule a computer and operator, call 893-3549 at least two full working days in advance.

What do I do if I am scheduled into a room equipped with a computer lectern?

If you are scheduled into one of our computer lectern rooms, call Media Equipment, and we will enter your order information, and ask you to come in for a key to the computer cabinet. At that time, we will also set up a user account in your name, which will allow you to log into the computer.

Can I keep the computer lectern key in case I will use the equipment at a later date?

• Keys must be returned by the date specified on the key loan agreement form.
  A $50.00 re-keying fee is recharged to your department if the key is not returned by the date specified. If you will be using the key at a later date, a new form will need to be filled out and signed. We regret any inconvenience caused by this arrangement, and we appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the security of our installed equipment.

If I have a class in a computer lectern room for multiple quarters, do I need to contact Media Equipment every quarter?

Yes. A key, personal login and password will need to be reissued. Lectern accounts are disabled at the end of each quarter. If you wish to use the system again, call Media Equipment, and give us your order information, and we will reset your account.

What if I want to use my laptop in a room with a permanently installed data projector?

If you are scheduled into one of our 20 data projector equipped rooms, you can contact Media Equipment to get the appropriate cable for connecting your laptop to the projector. We will take your order information and issue you a cable for the quarter. These cables are custom made and difficult to replace; therefore, we require you to complete a liability form before pick up. Your department will be charged if the cable is damaged or not returned.

Can I keep the laptop/data projector cable for multiple quarters?

Not at this time. We require you to come in to exchange cables every quarter. We will do a visual inspection of the cable to make sure it is in good condition. Also, we will need to take down your new order information. This information lets us know when and where your class is so we can keep you informed about any special requirements needed for that venue. We can also keep you informed in case of equipment failure and, at the same time, be prepared to support your presentation with a back up projector if necessary.

Does Media Equipment provide the software I need for my lectures?

• All of our computers are loaded with the current versions of the following software:
  • Mac or Windows operating system
  • Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint
  • Netscape and/or Internet Explorer
  • Instructors must provide any additional software, plug-ins, or media players for their presentations. Please call to discuss your needs, and to set up an appointment for assistance with installation.
• Contact your department or check with Instructional Computing's Site License page to learn how to acquire campus site-licensed software.
  • If there is special software we ask that you load it on the equipment that you use regularly as well as a back up system in case of failure.
  • Please remember that many instructors use our equipment, and we cannot guarantee that your configuration will remain intact.

May I bring my own laptop computer to class?

• Absolutely. We encourage this practice because it allows us to reserve equipment for other instructors who do not have that option. We require a test run, however, with client laptops to insure that all equipment is compatible.
• Please note that although Media Equipment can provide you with some assistance configuring your laptop, you must know:
  • General kind of computer: PC or Mac
  • The display resolution requirements for your presentation.
  • How to operate display output functions.
  • How to make an Internet connection. Your laptop will need an ethernet card or internet adapter (campus is equipped with ethernet and not modem support).

May I pick up a computer/projector myself from the Media Equipment office?

Yes. Media Equipment has a limited number of both Mac and PC laptops that are available for customer pick up on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 893-3549 to set up an appointment. You must call at least two full working days in advance of your presentation, but the more notice you give the better we can accommodate your needs.

Can I order equipment for student presentations?

• Yes, but please note that the instructor and not the student must reserve the equipment for each presentation.

• You must go through all the appropriate steps listed above to place an order.
• Student presentations at the end of each quarter create a high demand; therefore, we strongly suggest that it you know you will be having student presentations, order the equipment well in advance to insure that equipment will be available.
• All student presentations require a run through in our office at Kerr Hall 1160. It is your responsibility to coordinate student schedules with Media Equipment staff availability.
• Please note: Media Equipment will deliver only one platform to each session; so please coordinate your students' presentations accordingly.

Do Media Equipment projectors support high-resolution display?

• Most of our projectors are native at 800x600 resolution.
• We have a few projectors that can support 1024x780. If you require this resolution, you can request a high-resolution projector, and Media Equipment will accommodate your needs based on a first-come, first-served basis.

What peripheral drives are available?

• Media Equipment can provide laptops and desktops with floppy, CD-ROM, and ZIP drives.
• Desktop computers have all drives listed above, which can be used interchangeably.
• Laptops come with one drive in the unit, though there are other swappable drives in the carrying case. If you need to use multiple drives in one session, you should request a desktop cart.

Are all classrooms connected to the campus network and the Internet?

• Not at this time. There are currently 65 classrooms that have Internet access. Check www.id.ucsb.edu/IR/CLASSROOMS/info.html for a current list of networked rooms.
• The campus' standard connection is a 10base T ethernet connection. In order to use the campus network, you must have an ethernet card in your computer.
• Media Equipment can provide Internet access in listed rooms if--and only if--it is requested beforehand. The request for access cannot be accommodated if made at the time of delivery.
• If you choose to use your own laptop, you will need to contact Media Equipment to get an IP address to access the Internet via campus.

Are there times when Media Equipment does not provide delivery service?

• We do not provide delivery or pick-up service before 7:30 AM or after 10:00 PM.
• We may also require customers to pick up and return equipment when delivery staff are unavailable.

How many days in advance should I request computer/projector order?

• The earlier the better! All things considered, you should order equipment as soon as you know you will need it. Due to the increasing popularity of computer display in the classroom, equipment is often booked two weeks in advance.
• Because we fill requests on a first-come, first-served basis, and we have a limited stock of equipment, we cannot guarantee that there will be equipment at the date and time requested.
• Orders will not be taken with less than two full working days notice.
• We strongly urge you NOT to order equipment unless it will be used. We realize that the scarcity of equipment may tempt an instructor to order equipment "just in case" it will be needed. Unfortunately, this practice will increase the scarcity problem, rather than reduce it. Your cooperation in this matter benefits both your colleagues and their students.

• Please make any cancellations as soon as possible, so that equipment can be reassigned to someone else who needs it.

Do I have to schedule a trial run through?

• To make sure that all elements of the computer projection system are compatible, you should set up a test run at least two days in advance.
• Schedule the run through when you first place your order with Media Equipment (appointments are set for 30 minutes).
• Please bring any program files you intend to use. Please make sure they are in their final format as any changes made afterwards might cause conflicts. If you are using your own hardware, make sure you bring it and all drives and network or other adapters you plan to use.
• Keep in mind that changes made to your files and computer settings between the trial run and the presentation may result in an unsuccessful presentation. Please bring the final presentation to this appointment

Will the equipment be 100% reliable?

• Media operators test the entire set up before you pick it up or have it delivered to your class. Even with the test, we cannot guarantee 100% reliability, especially with portable computer carts with many interfaces and cables.
• In care of failure, Media Equipment will deliver, if possible, backup equipment from the office that can usually be set up in 10 minutes or less.
• For anyone with special software, we ask that you install it on a back up system as well as the one you use regularly, in case of emergency.

What back up systems should I use in case of problems?

• We strongly urge you to use overhead transparencies as back up to your computer presentation.
• For some cases it will be useful to load your presentation onto a remote server provided by your department or Instructional Resources
• If you are using a web page, please copy the page to a disk in case the network is down. This will not provide hypertext capabilities, but it will allow saved information to be presented.

May computer and projection systems be used off campus?

• A limited pool of laptops and data projectors can be provide for off campus events. Please call us at 893-3549 for more information. Equipment is provided on a customer pick up and return basis only.
• We currently are not able to provide on-site staffing for off-campus events.
• Users are responsible for any loss or damage while the equipment is loaned out to them. Please complete and return a departmental liability form prior to pick up.
• To avoid last minute delays, please fill out the required paper work before coming in for the equipment.